The Quarterly Research Grant Funding Programme is a funding initiative led by Cure Parkinson’s, a London-based charity in the United Kingdom. The programme is aimed at researchers and clinicians working on projects capable of slowing, stopping, or reversing Parkinson’s disease. This is not a typical African startup competition, but rather a genuine funding opportunity for scientific research projects with a therapeutic focus. Still, this support opportunity deserves to be known across Africa, where scientific and biomedical entrepreneurship is steadily growing. Many stakeholders, researchers, and academic institutions on the continent could find direct value in it.
Unlike a traditional entrepreneurship competition, this programme exclusively targets disease modification rather than simple symptom relief. Cure Parkinson’s dedicates significant resources to this cause through a rigorous two-stage process. This article details the context, eligibility criteria, funding terms, deadlines, and application procedure.
Programme Background and Objective
The Quarterly Research Grant Funding Programme is an open scheme dedicated to preclinical and clinical research projects. Its main goal is to support work with a genuine prospect of clinical translation within five years. As such, preclinical projects must already have an identified clinical candidate.
Project leaders must also present a realistic timeline toward clinical trials involving people living with Parkinson’s disease. In addition, clinical projects must directly involve Parkinson’s patients. Cure Parkinson’s does not fund trials conducted solely on healthy volunteers.
This framework is outlined in the organisation’s full research strategy, which details its funding priorities and terms. In short, this programme clearly targets the fight against disease progression, rather than symptomatic treatment.
Eligibility Criteria
The programme is open to an international audience, making it a genuine funding opportunity for African startups active in biomedical research, as well as for academic institutions. Cure Parkinson’s funds both academic and industry sectors, whether applying alone or in collaboration.
- Preclinical projects, with funding of up to £300,000
- Clinical trials, with grant value depending on the trial stage
- Clinical infrastructure projects and sub-studies, generally ranging from £75,000 to £300,000
- Applications open to both academic and commercial entities, in Africa and elsewhere
- Costs for commercial applications must be justified and comparable to academic costs
Applicants wishing to submit a late-phase clinical trial or an innovative trial design are encouraged to contact Cure Parkinson’s before submitting an application. Additionally, project leaders working in a currency other than pounds sterling must submit their budget in sterling if successful. A dedicated budget guide is available to help with this process.
Prizes and Funding
The funding amount varies depending on the type of project submitted. Preclinical projects can receive up to £300,000, while clinical infrastructure projects or sub-studies generally range between £75,000 and £300,000. For clinical trials, the grant value depends on the stage the trial has reached.
This funding represents a genuine opportunity for African startups and research teams across the continent, provided their projects fit within the scope defined by Cure Parkinson’s. The organisation also states that funding decisions recommended by its research committee are final and not subject to appeal.
Application Deadline
The programme runs on a quarterly schedule, with several deadlines set for 2026. Applicants must pay close attention to these dates, as the research committee only meets at these specific times.
- Monday, June 22, 2026, 11:59 PM (London time)
- Monday, October 12, 2026, 11:59 PM (London time)
It is therefore advisable to prepare your application well ahead of these deadlines. This gives applicants enough time to gather all the required documents.
How to Apply
The application process takes place in two distinct stages. The first stage involves submitting an initial application form by email to the Cure Parkinson’s research team. If the project falls within the funding scope, it is reviewed by an independent research committee, which meets every quarter.
If the committee finds the project promising, the applicant is invited to submit a full application, known as Stage 2. This application is then sent out for external peer review by expert reviewers. Feedback from this review is discussed at the following research committee meeting, before a recommendation is passed on to Cure Parkinson’s trustees.
For successful applications, the entire process takes about six months. All applicants, whether successful or not, are notified by the chair of the research committee or a relevant Cure Parkinson’s representative. It is strongly recommended to review all available eligibility and guidance documents, as well as the grant agreement, before submitting an application.
👉 Submit your application here
Other Funding Opportunities for African Startups
African entrepreneurs can also explore other competitions and support programmes.
📌 See all calls for projects for entrepreneurs in French
📌 Check out opportunities in English
Conclusion
The Quarterly Research Grant Funding Programme, led by Cure Parkinson’s, represents a concrete opportunity for Parkinson’s disease research on an international scale. Researchers and institutions, including those in Africa, are encouraged to carefully review the criteria before submitting their applications. Don’t hesitate to start preparing your application now to meet the upcoming quarterly deadlines in 2026.